parcel to son in australia

yraunaj

i didnt know where to post this so please feel free to move, my son is travelling the world, at the moment staying in australia for a while, and wants me to send him some clothes and his laptop out to him, i havent a clue were to start, were to get box/packaging from, how which will cost what weight, any ideas would be most welcome. thanks

sarymclary

Hi,
Dependent upon the weight of everything - or if you are considering doing several parcels, you could go online to www.royalmail.co.uk, where there is an online parcel pricing service. In fact, you can even weigh your parcel, pay online and print off a postage label too. There are maximum weight/size restrictions, so bear these in mind.
For packaging materials, I'd recommend you put a search into www.ebay.co.uk, which is where I've found all my packing materials keenly priced. I think you need to gather together all your son's belongings he needs, decide what goes into which parcel, and for the laptop, I think I'd send that securely, and separately on a signed delivery only basis.
If the RM site isn't what you need, try somewhere like www.parcel2go.com, or put a general search into google for 'secure deliveries from UK to Australia' and see what you find.
I've sold items on ebay that have needed to go to more obscure destinations, and always find that is a good way to find companies who specialise.
It might also be helpful if you contact a local courier firm, where they might be able to talk to you about it, advise about shipping and customs, etc. If they can't price it for you, they will probably know who can.

HTH

Bananabelly

TBH it may not be worth it. I have sent many many parcels there over the past five years being Aussie myself.Anything over 2kg total gets really expensive, so try and break parcels down. You won't get many clothes in for that so unless it's something he can't get there for some reason (and you really can get just about everything!) I wouldn't think it would be worth it. The only way I think it's feasible is if he is there for a while send them sea mail as it's much cheaper but will take 6 weeks or so to get there. Couriers are more expensive in my experience (and will likely cost more than the clothes!). As for packing materials, just recycle a decently strong box and print out the address from the computer, and use A LOT of packing tape.I agree with sarymclary, don't put the laptop through the normal post. Is it essential? Going that far it is likely to be damaged.Also remember if you're putting any food in the customs in oz is really strict, no fresh food/nuts/seeds, etc. Chocolate is ok, and most english seem to dislike aussie chocolate so he might appreciate it (I can't taste the difference myself, it all tastes OK to me!)

pickle

If the package is heavy try using the 'international economy' service as the max. is around 2 kilos on the regular post. You're looking at about £40 for just over 2 kilos on the 'international economy' service from memory. You can ask for a pamphlet and it explains it all.

klpark

If anyone else is looking to send a parcel to Australia i have just used Worldwide Parcel and they were the cheapest i found http://www.worldwide-parcelservices.co.uk/quote/australia

angelfairy

I agree with all of Bananabelly's, being an Aussie myself. The postage rates are quite high and tends to negate the positives of sending items overseas


Chocolate is ok, and most english seem to dislike aussie chocolate so he might appreciate it (I can't taste the difference myself, it all tastes OK to me!)[/quote]

I can taste the difference. Not sure if the Aussie chocolate has more preservatives in it for the heat as I cannot recall our chocs having to be put in the fridge due to the heat, but i have seen that in the UK.

Hope your son is enjoying his time in the land of Oz